Ronnie Montrose...RIP

[Goodkarma]

Saw this a couple days ago.

 

[greenmatter]

that sucks!

what did he die of?

 

[annaC Seeds]

Ronnie Montrose, an influential guitarist whose band, Montrose, was a mainstay of hard rock in the 1970s and the launching pad for the singer Sammy Hagar, died on Saturday at his home in Brisbane, Calif. He was 64. The cause was complications of prostate cancer, said his agent, Jim Douglas.
In the early 1970s Mr. Montrose was a journeyman studio guitarist in California, playing on Van Morrison’s albums “Tupelo Honey” and “Saint Dominic’s Preview,” as well as with Herbie Hancock, Boz Scaggs and others. He was also on the Edgar Winter Group’s album “They Only Come Out at Night,” displaying in songs like “Free Ride” and “Frankenstein” the power chords and guitar theatrics that would become his signature.
He formed Montrose in 1973 with the bassist Bill Church, the drummer Denny Carmassi and an unknown singer credited as Sam Hagar. The band’s first album, called simply “Montrose” and released later that year on Warner Brothers Records, had no hit singles but was a sleeper success, eventually going platinum and becoming a minor landmark of heavy metal.
On the first album’s “Bad Motor Scooter” and “Rock Candy,” Mr. Montrose’s guitar growled, squealed and mimicked an engine revving up, as the full band played a basic, hard-chugging blues-rock. That album and its follow-up, “Paper Money” (1974), were produced with Ted Templeman, who had helped to perfect a clean, commercial hard-rock style with the Doobie Brothers and Little Feat. Mr. Templeman would later record Van Halen, whose guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, acknowledged Mr. Montrose as an influence.
Mr. Hagar left Montrose after “Paper Money,” releasing solo albums and eventually replacing David Lee Roth as Van Halen’s lead singer. The band continued for two more records, “Warner Brothers Presents ... Montrose!” in 1975 and “Jump on It” in 1976. Mr. Montrose later formed the band Gamma, which on three albums from 1979 to 1982 moved toward a softer sound that incorporated synthesizers. (Gamma reunited in 2000 for a fourth album.)
Ronald Douglas Montrose was born in San Francisco on Nov. 29, 1947, and moved with his family to Denver at a young age. He returned to San Francisco in the late 1960s, when his career as a studio musician and sideman took off once he met the producer David Rubinson.
After Montrose broke up in the 1970s Mr. Montrose began releasing a stream of solo albums that veered into jazz-rock. He also put together a new version of Montrose in 1987 for one album, “Mean”; the original lineup of the band played together on Mr. Hagar’s 1997 solo album, “Marching to Mars.” He continued to tour even after learning he had cancer several years ago, Mr. Douglas, his agent, said.
Mr. Montrose is survived by his wife, Leighsa; two brothers, Rick and Mike; a son, Jessie; a daughter, Kira Ratliff; and five grandchildren.

R.I.P. Ronnie.

 

[Stoner4Life]

R.I.P. Ronnie Montrose

 

[Mtn. Nectar]

missed him last November when he played locally......was that a fuc up.......

once again if you have a chance to see a legend ...go see them.. as it may be the last time they perform......


R.I.P. Mr. Ronnie

 

[abellguy]

Damn who's gonna be next Lemmy? Many blessing from Jah to you and your family Ronnie, you will be missed

 

[THE TROOPER]

that sucks!

what did he die of?

he committed suicide!

TT

 

[paper thorn]

that's a shame.rip

 

[Backwoods Bud]

Saw Ronnie Montrose with his band Gamma when they opened for Forenier in 79. R.I.P. Ronnie, get on your bad motor scooter and ride.

 

[Grass Lands]

another great has fallen...my heart is heavy today.

 

[the only Razz]

get on your bad motor scooter and RIDE!! R.I.P.

 

[Hazed]

Knowone will ever fill that big empty spot! Man Ronnie was out there, a real innovator. Also had been fighting cancer for several years.

Best concert I ever saw was Ronnie Montrose and Edgar Winter!

~Rest easy brother~

 

[bocil]

R.I.P Ronnie Montrose.

 

[bigghead]

thank you ronnie you rocked the nation

 

[yesum]

Wore out that album 'Montrose' in the old days, and have a cd of it now. RIP man.

Just read he shot himself. Very sad. Hope the family can cope.

 

[Hammerhead]

Enjoy

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[Hazed]

Wore out that album 'Montrose' in the old days, and have a cd of it now. RIP man.

Just read he shot himself. Very sad. Hope the family can cope.

Hi Yesum,
Yup I hear ya. I still have an old tattered Montrose album laying around.
Im sure you probably already know this, just thought I would mention in case someone doesnt,

Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 were good albums as well. Ronnie's guitar riff for the song "Solar heat" was awesome and was just fkn spectacular live!

ETA: Thanks Hammerhead!